FSU Students push for commitment to 100% renewable energy on FSU campus

2020-03-01

Melissa Ma, Staff Writer Published 11:53 a.m. ET Mar. 1, 2020

The City of Tallahassee, which operates a solar farm, is aiming for 100 percent renewable energy. (Photo: City of Tallahassee)

Over 3,600 Florida State University students and 100 faculty members signed a petition by Environment Florida urging President John Thrasher to enact clean, renewable energy for all of FSU’s operations by 2050 and to generate all electricity with renewable resources by 2030. Recently, the student body spoke up again when the Student Government Association passed a resolution in January 2020 calling for the university to generate 100% of its power from renewable resources.

“Students across the country are vocalizing support for transitioning to 100% renewable energy sources,” said Ryann Lynn, Clean Energy Advocate for Environment Florida. “Thirty-six colleges have already committed to that evolution, but FSU could be the first university in Florida.”

Last year, on February 20, 2019, Tallahassee became the seventh city in Florida to pass a resolution to power the city with 100% renewable energy by 2050. The vote by the Tallahassee City Commission was unanimous. City commissioners cited the need to protect clean air, water, and public health as factors in their commitment to steer the city away from greenhouse gas emissions as much as possible. The resolution includes powering the public transport system electrically by 2035.

“Floridians need ambitious goals that match the scale of the environmental challenges our state faces,” said Jennifer Rubiello, state director of Environment Florida. “With this commitment, our state’s capital joins six other Florida cities and over 100 nationwide in setting bold commitments to clean, renewable energy.”

FSU was significant in showing support for the Tallahassee resolution for renewable energy. Two years ago in Jan. 2018, FSU signed an agreement to buy 20 kilowatts of renewable energy from the city’s first solar energy farm, and 12 solar panels on the FSU Sustainability Hub in the Seminole Organic Garden. But as the city’s largest energy consumer, at 10% of energy sales, students call for additional action to be taken by the university. “As a Top 20 public university with its own community of more than 40,000 students, we should blaze our own trail to help improve our climate,” said Willow Michie, senior at FSU and the campaign coordinator of 100% Renewable Campus. “We are excited to work with the campus administration to set the university on a path to a fossil-free future.”

In fall of 2018, the 100% Renewable Campus campaign arrived at FSU to promote a transition to 100% renewable energy on campus. Renewable energy is not only environmentally conscious but financially as well. A University of South Florida researcher developed a cost-effective, utilitarian system to store solar power for hours at a time; the campaign suggests adopting this technology could reduce energy costs by 80%.

FSU students participated in Environment America’s National Week of Action for 100% Renewable Campuses to educate each other on sustainability and energy efficiency of renewable resources. They used #SolarNoles to promote a social media day of action to show support for the 100% Renewable Campus campaign that 36 other colleges and campuses participate in throughout the country.

With the passing of SGA’s resolution, FSU could be the first university in Florida to commit to 100% renewable energy resources. It will be sent to President Thrasher’s desk to await approval.

“Students are sending a message to our current representatives that tomorrow’s leaders share a vision for Florida’s future -- and that future is renewable,” said Lynn.

View the full story at FSUnews.com